Reilly must explain Daly appointment - Gerry Adams TD

Following last night’s resignation of the Chairman of the West North-West Hospital Board Noel Daly, Sinn Féin Leader Gerry Adams has said it is essential that Minister for Health James Reilly comes into the Dáil today to make a statement on the matter.

Mr Adams says there are very serious questions surrounding the Minister’s original appointment of Mr Daly, which need to be addressed as matter of urgency.

Speaking at Leinster House this morning Gerrry Adams said:

"Mr Daly had no option other than resignation considering what has emerged about his conflict of interests which breached HSE financial regulations.

"I twice raised this issue in Dáil this week, most recently yesterday with An Taoiseach. It was also raised last week in the Seanad by Sinn Féin Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh. So the Government was aware of this for some time.

“This man should never have been appointed to this position.

“I want to know if the Government will immediately publish the findings of the review by the HSE into how D&F Health partnership was awarded a contract to examine maternity services in the Hospital Group’s remit.

"Mr Daly is a well-known promoter of health privatisation and was appointed as Chair of this Hospital Group by James Reilly.

"Minister Reilly needs to come into the Dáil today and explain how such an appointment was made considering the glaring conflict of interests involved. He also needs to clarify the status of the report on maternity services carried out by D&F Health Partnership.”